Exercising apparatus



July 24, 1962 J. w. SELLNER ET AL EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l John W. Sellner,

Don F. Welborn,

HWEIVTORS.

ATTORNEY.

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EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q K o E M 2x g,

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EXERCISIb IG APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 John W. Sellner,

Don F. We lborn //v l/E/VTORS.

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3,045,667 EXERCISING APPARATUS John W. Sellner, 10246 Silverton Ave., Tujunga, Calif., 21cm; Don F. Welborn, 1640 Court Place, Denver 2,

Filed Sept. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 759,594 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-25) The present invention relates to exercising apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus in which mechanically actuated elements cooperate with the user to facilitate exercise and muscular deveploment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical exercising device which can operate to exercise the body of the user or any portion thereof while the user is in a passive position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercising device in which mechanically actuated elements thereof can be opposed by force exerted by the human body or by arms and legs or by other bodily components to increase the exercising eifects which may be obtained.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exercising device in which the mechanically actuated elements can be utilized by the user while in different positions and while minimizing strains which might otherwise occur to the user or to the equipment.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from consideration of the drawings and specifications referred to below.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing the device and its operating elements while in normal position.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 with the table removed to show the mechanical elements thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational View of the device illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrating an exercising element thereof in extreme position.

'FIG. 4 is a view in elevation illustrating one manner of use of the apparatus showing a user in one position.

FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation showing the apparatus and user of FIG. 4 in an exercising position.

FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation illustrating another manner of use by a user in one position.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. 6 showing the equipment in a second position.

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation illustrating another manner of use of the equipment.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing the mechanical actuating elements of the apparatus as positioned during a portion of the use.

FIG. 10 is a detail view showing a strap attachment.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the apparatus is actuated by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic device.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive, the apparatus of the invention comprises an enclosure, preferably having a rectangular cross section, formed of a frame having base members 21 and 21a, vertical side members 22 and 22a, and top members 23 defining a rectangular frame and provided, if desired, With side panels 49, 50, 51 and 52 in order to enclose the mechanical actuating equipment for the device. At one end of the frame is positioned an upwardly extending bar 24 which extends parallel to one end of the enclosure and is spaced therefrom by downwardly depending legs as shown. A horizontal platform or table 25 is supported upon opposite sides of the frame and longitudinally thereof by spring members 25a and 25b and corresponding spring members at the opposite side of the frame. At the other end of the enclosure an exercising member such as a pair of up- 3,045,667 Patented July 24, 1962 wardly extending vertical members 26 and 26a are provided, these having inwardly extending ends 27 and 28 which extend above and parallel to the table or platform and which terminate short thereof to define a space therebetween. These may have raised ends or flanges 27a and 28a to provide for positioning strap members thereon. A reinforcing cross bar member 30 is provided to reinforce and interconnect members 26 and 26a. A second cross bar member 29 is positioned at an intermediate point between the ends of members 26 and 26a and to the cross bar 29 at an intermediate point thereof is connected arm 32 which is pivotally connected to the cross bar 29 as will be described below. Vertical members 26 and 26a are pivotally connected to the base members 21 and 21a. Arm 32, as well as the vertical members 26 and 26a, are reciprocated in a generally horizontal plane by the rotation of pulley member 34, being actuated by eccentrically positioned pin 33 which thereby operates as a crank to actuate members 26 and 26a back and forth. Pulley 34 is driven by belt 35 which in turn is driven by a pulley 36 of smaller diameter actuated by a shaft 37 and which in turn is driven by pulley 38 rotated by belt 39 and pulley 40 operated by motor 41. The motor is mounted on a frame member 42 positioned on an axle supporting wheel members 43 and 43a which ride on base 21 as a track. Pulleys 36 and 38 and shaft 37 are supported and journalled by member 54 which is telescopically afiixed to member 53 which in turn is supported by frame member 42 and through which shaft 34a which drives pulley 34 is journalled. Elements 53 and 54 are box-like members designed to slide one Within the other in order to provide longitudinal adjustment of the spacing between the respective pulleys and to permit mounting and tightening of the belts. Each of these elements 53 and 54 can be bolted to the other in a laterally adjustable manner. A certain degree of lateral flexibility for the entire driving assembly is provided by means of vertical support 44 which pivotally engages the upper end of member 54 retaining the assembly in vertical position. Element 44 is also pivotally mounted on the frame as shown at 44a so that a certain amount of swinging motion is permitted. Elements 53 and 54 are engaged by biasing means such as springs 45 and 45a and 47 and 47a, which springs are adjustably affixed to the frame by chains or the like 46 and 46a and 48 and 48a. This manner of mounting, plus the fact that the assembly rides on wheels 43 and 43a, permits the entire driving assembly to move back and forth when a load is applied to the pulleys through arm 32 and members 26 and 26a. This provides a spring loaded and resilient driving assembly which eliminates or minimizes the rigidity which would otherwise be encountered by a direct non-resilient driving arrangement, and makes the unit self-adjusting to permit use by individuals of different heights.

in use, when the motor and the pulleys are operated, the crank and arm assembly 32 and 33 pivoted upon bar 29 serve to move arms '26 and 26a back and forth in a gen erally horizontal direction. The minimum position of the vertical members 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1, and the maximum position is illustrated in FIG. 3. When used in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, the user reclines horizontally upon the table and engages his feet beneath the upright bar member 24 and the table 25, at the same time, grasping the inwardly extending arms 27 and 28 at the other end. As vertical members 26 and 26a move away from the other end of the table, the arms are stretched out and upon return the arms are returned to their original position. This back and forward movement will provide exercise to the user in the passive position. If the user so desires, he may oppose or resist the movement of the vertical members 26 and 26a by imposing muscular force thereon, while at the same time, utilizing the bar member 24 to anchor his feet in a resistant position. This application of force will serve to increase the exercising eifect obtained.

Similar results are obtained by use of the apparatus in a manner illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 in which the user reverses his reclining position and holds on to the stationary bar 24 with his arms, while at the same time, engaging the reciprocating vertical member 26 and 26a with his feet with the result that his legs are drawn from a knee-chest position to a horizontal stretched position as shown while at the same time the resistance encountered by his arms in resisting the pull will serve to exercise the arm, shoulder and back muscles. In order to facilitate the exercising function of the equipment it is desirable to provide straps or loops affixed to the inwardly extending arms 27 and 28. These straps are shown as elements 27b in FIG- URES 7, 6, and 10.

Another manner of utilizing this apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 8 in which the user may sit on the ground and engage cross bar members 29 or 30, thereby resisting the movement of these arms as they are drawn back and forth by the movement of the pulley and crank mechanism described. In this way the arm, shoulder, and back muscles may be exercised. Similarly the same results may be obtained by a user who stands upon the ground or floor and holds on to the inwardly extending arms 27 and 28 being caused to be drawn forward as these arms move back and forth at the same time applying resistance as to exercise the arm, shoulder, and back muscles as well as the leg.

In view of the resilient manner of mounting the driving mechanism, strain upon the user, as well as equipment, is minimized or prevented by enabling the driving unit to move back and forth a certain distance as the load is applied. This is illustrated by FIG. 1 showing the position of the driving mechanism of springs under normal unloaded condition and by FIG. 9 showing the position of the unit and springs when a load is applied tending to resist movement of the vertical member 26 and 26a into the position illustrated in FIG. 3 for example. As resistance is applied to the arms as the intent is to move outward, as the drive is actuated, the entire assembly is also urged forward to a certain degree, operating against the resistance of spring members 45 and 45a and forcing the springs members 47 and 47a into compression.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 11 in which the driving mechanism is replaced by a hydraulic or pneumatic unit also contained within an enclosure. In this form of the invention, the mechanism is enclosed within a frame member 55 and is provided with a table 56, upwardly extending bar 57 and vertical, horizontally movable arms 58 operated by arm 59 and lever 60, which in turn is operated by piston 61 actuated from an air or hydraulic cylinder 62. The hydraulic or pneumatic unit is operated by the fluid circulated through lines 63 and 64 supplied from a storage tank 65 and pump 66 through a valve arrangement 67 in a conventional manner.

We claim:

1. An exercising apparatus comprising a horizontally extending base, a vertically extending member having one end pivotally mounted on said base, drive means for moving said vertical member back and forth in a generally horizontal direction, said drive means being positioned on wheels in engagement with tracks associated with said base, said drive means being mounted in a horizontally yieldable manner whereby stresses applied to said pivoted vertical member will be absorbed by said driving means, and means on said vertical member spaced from its pivotal connection with the base adapted to be engaged by a user for exercising purposes.

2. An exercising apparatus comprising a framework defining an enclosure, a table supported horizontally above said framework, a vertical member pivoted to the base of said framework and having its upper end free, means pivotally connected to said vertical member at an intermediate point adapted to be moved back and forth and to impart a corresponding movement to said vertical member, drive means mounted within said framework for driving said intermediate pivoted member, said drive means being mounted to permit limited relative movement between said frame Work and said drive means in response to stresses applied to said vertical member, and a second vertical member positioned adjacent the other end of said table, whereby a user can engage both of said vertical members while reclining on said table.

3. An exercising apparatus comprising a frame work defining an enclosure, a table supported horizontally above said frame work, a vertical member pivoted to the base of said frame work and having its upper end free, means pivotally connected to said vertical member at an intermediate point adapted to be moved back and forth and to impart a corresponding movement to said vertical member, drive means within said frame work for driving said intermediate pivoted member, said drive means being positioned within said enclosure in a horizontally yieldable manner, said drive means being mounted upon wheels engaging tracks positioned in the base of said frame work, and a second vertical member positioned adjacent the other end of said table, whereby a user can engage both of said vertical members while reclining on said table.

4. An exercising apparatus comprising a frame work defining an enclosure, a table supported horizontally above said frame work, a vertical member pivoted to the base of said frame work and having its upper end free, means pivotally connected to said vertical member at an intermediate point adapted to be moved back and forth and to impart a corresponding movement to said vertical member, drive means within said frame work for driving said intermediate pivoted member, said drive means being positioned within said enclosure in a horizontally yieldable manner, said drive means being mounted upon wheels engaging tracks positioned in the base of said frame work, and a second vertical member positioned adjacent the other end of said table, whereby a user can engage both of said vertical members while reclining on said table.

5. An exercising apparatus comprising a frame work defining an enclosure, a table supported horizontally above said frame work, a vertical member pivoted to the base of said frame work and having its upper end free, means pivotally connected to said vertical member at an intermediate point adapted to be moved back and forth and to impart a corresponding movement to said vertical member, drive means within said frame work for driving said intermediate pivoted member, said drive means being positioned within said enclosure in a horizontally yieldable manner, said drive means being mounted upon wheels engaging tracks positioned in the base of said frame work, springs engaging each end of said drive means and said frame work whereby horizontal movement in either direction of said drive means is limited, and a second vertical member positioned adjacent the other end of said table, whereby a user can engage both of said vertical members while reclining on said table.

6. An exercising apparatus comprising a frame work including a horizontally extending base, a table supported horizontally above said frame work, vertical springs connected between said frame work and said table to thereby space said table from said frame work, a vertically extending member having one end pivotally mounted on said base, drive means for moving said vertical member back and forth in a generally horizontal direction, said drive means being positioned on wheels in engagement with tracks associated with said base, said drive means being mounted in a horizontally yieldable manner whereby stresses applied to said pivoted vertical member will be absorbed by said drive means, and means on said vertical member spaced from its pivotal connection with the base adapted to be engaged by a user for exercising purposes.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS King Feb. 3, 1903 Allen June 24, 1924 Simmons Apr. 16, 1929 Gregory Nov. 12, 1929 De Remer Apr. 21, 1931 Hawley Sept. 20, 1938 6 Rogers Mar. 14, 1939 Stauffer May 6, 1941 Clark Aug. 1 1, 1953 Tarr July 1, 1958 Heacock Sept. 2, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 23, 1930 

